A Small European Town Is Allegedly Planning to Install a Public Beer Fountain

There is a small yet growing voice in America that argues the legal drinking age should be reduced from 21 to 18 years of age. Some, such as former Kenyon College president, S. Georgia Nugent, believe, "the 21-year-old limit has created, rather than solved, problems." The model proposed by Nugent and others would mimic the consumption laws in much of the developed world. And nowhere is this more evident than in Europe, where the small Slovenian town of Zalec recently approved plans for the city to build Europe's first beer fountain.

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Zalec intends to spend roughly $400,000 on a geyser that dispenses local brew. With a community of nearly 5,000, the hamlet of Zalec doesn't currently have much to boast—except, of course, its ability to produce world-class beer. Located in the Lower Savinja Valley, the soil is perfect for growing an abundance of high quality hops, a main ingredient in beer, which add bitterness while acting as a natural preservative.

By population, Slovenia is a rather small country, similar in size to the state of New Mexico. Yet, for its 2.06 million people, drinking alcohol is part of everyday life. Nevertheless, to be ensure the beer fountain is not abused, local authorities have stated that visitors will pay six euros for three 30cl drinks—that's slightly less alcohol than three 12-ounce bottles of beer—which will be served in a special commemorative mug. And those that show up with red solo cup will, presumably, be asked to leave.

The project, which is being touted by Zalec's mayor as a way to bring in more tourism, will partly be funded by the town as well as with private donations. Not all locals, however, are happy with the decision. Those sober-minded residents argue that the money could, and should, be spent on more logical projects such as providing healthier tap water to the town.

Nevertheless, the plan is moving forward. Yet, with no firm completion date announced, the only real question is why this project never happened in my small college town.

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